The city of Vienna creates new rules for immigrants. By the end of the year, Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr wants to have a catalog of values ready that migrants must adhere to. The city council also relied on the opinion of the ‘Krone’ readers for the integration.
Closure of clubs that ignore our values. Suspension of benefits for those who do not comply with their language. The deputy mayor and councilor for integration of Vienna, Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), already had many ideas about living together with immigrants – especially with those who do not want to adapt to our lifestyle. Now Wiederkehr has new rules drawn up. The focus is not on those who, after fleeing to Austria, have integrated in an exemplary way, have a job, pay taxes and also exemplify the peace they have found for their families in Vienna.
New rules from everyone for everyone
But how should we deal with ‘existing and serious problems’, as Wiederkehr puts it? What might the “harsh consequences” he demands look like? The city council wants to know this from the communities, religious communities and politicians. But also from the ‘Krone’ readers, who now have the unique opportunity to work on the rules of the game. And this is how the investigation works together with the city: You write to us – every email, every letter ends up on the deputy mayor’s desk (also anonymously).
Which values are important?
What integration measures can you imagine? What is the best way to teach the German language? Which values are important to you? What rights should immigrants be granted and what obligations should they fulfill? What is necessary for peaceful coexistence? When should social benefits be cut? And much more. Please send emails with your ideas to: wien@kronenzeitung.at. Or to Kronen Zeitung, editorial office Vienna, Muthgasse 2, 1119 Vienna.
“Lead the way instead of looking away”
Wiederkehr justifies his initiative by saying that he wants to ‘take the lead’ rather than ‘look the other way’: by the end of the year, Vienna should have a catalog of values that will then apply to everyone in the city – Or it whether with or without a migration background. Wiederkehr wants the values to be enforced through administrative fines or reductions in social benefits. However, this would largely require new federal laws.
Major “Values Convention” announced for the fall
For the time being, Wiederkehr wants to work out the values. In addition to feedback from the readership of ‘Krone’, a survey on hatred and agitation among young people and studies by the Vienna Integration Council on ‘fundamental democratic attitudes and group-related devaluation tendencies in our immigration society’, a values convention with the participation of various population and religious groups will It mainly takes place in the autumn.
According to his own statement, Wiederkehr wants to say “clearly through the dialogue of all those involved: ‘Vienna, we have a problem – we have to talk.'” But the basic values of human dignity, democracy and pluralism are ‘non-negotiable’. Referring to the central cultural theme in the ÖVP, Wiederkehr emphasized when presenting his ideas that values are important to him, and not “folklore: it is not about whether you like brass music.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
